For this update we mostly focused on the biomes (the level types). Improving some and adding some new ones.Updated biome: IceThe Ice Biome has been in there for a long while. Basically a biome that has a lot of ice. However it often led to not too exciting races as a leading player would encounter few or no dangers. The updated biome has a clear structure to its layout. There is typically a lava barrier just in front of the goal preventing players from reaching it directly. There is now an area in the center that has a high chance of grass which attract players to the center before they move around the lava barrier. Also directly after the start region there is a patchwork of lava that aims to create multiple interesting routes directly from the start. There is a chance of finding some powers in the central area away from the grass and behind the goal. Both making detours possibly worthwhile as powers on ice can be very disruptive.Examples of the updated biome:

New rare biome: Edge ControlGrass next to lava is tempting but also dangerous.Example:

New rare biome: Powers OnlyA new rare level that is all about smart power usage. Example:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Revert to previous versionWhen you have issues running the latest version you can always revert to the previous version by selecting the 'previousupdate' branch in Steam.

To do so right click Chalo Chalo in your library.

Select Properties

Select BETAS

In the dropdown menu select previousupdate (no password needed)

Steam should then revert to the previous version. If it fails, restarting Steam tends to fix a lot.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Tar Bombs now detonate correctly even if player dies after triggering the countdown.

Changes

Lava material looks more like actual lava and has motion to make it easier to distinguish from other materials.

Grass material now has grainy texture.

Ice material looks more like ice.

Ash material is now slightly lighter.

Player colors are brighter and easier to distinquish.

Player dots have a dark outline to improve visibility.

Player directional indicator (visible when on ice) for now disabled.

Power up icon circles pulsate.

Notes

This update is almost entirely visual and focuses on the different terrains in the maps. We label the terrains as follows:

ash - the default grey terrain

grass - green and fast

ice - white and slippery

tar - black and slow

lava - red and deadly

Triggered by a player commenting how it was almost impossible for a color blind friend of his to distinguish between grass (green) and lava (red). We took a look at the terrain and tried to make it easier to 'read' in general. Below a screenshot of the previous version and a copy of that screenshot ran through an online color blind simulator.

One thing that helps is having different textures for the terrains so even without the colors you would be able to distinguish between grass and lava.

Below the same test but with the new visuals:

As players will never actually be racing over the lava we can apply a more distinct look to the lava than to the other terrains. Lava now has a texture and animation making it look a lot more like lava and making it easy to spot. Though we quite like the very abstract look of the previous versions a bit more detail in the terrains seems to work well. We'll probably keep tweaking this to make the style of the different terrains match.With this visual update the game's look changes once again and it is no doubt not the last time.Below some screenshots of the different versions so far.

- - NEW - - NEW - - NEW - - Revert to previous versionWhen you have issues running the latest version you can always revert to the previous version by selecting the 'previousupdate' branch in Steam.

To do so right click Chalo Chalo in your library.

Select Properties

Select BETAS

In the dropdown menu select previousupdate (no password needed)

Steam should then revert to the previous version. If it fails, restarting Steam tends to fix a lot.

Thursday, January 12, 2017

This update mostly fixes a nasty bug caused by the Teleport power. Note that when you run the game it should show First Run in red text the first time you play the updated version.

Bugfixes

Fixed the 'frozen input bug' where sometimes players would move in a straight line from the start of the race and wouldn't react to controller input.

In exhibition mode individual player inactivity dropout routine causes freeze crashes, don't know why yet. So that's disabled for now. General inactivity timeout is still working as expected - resets to start screen when no controller input detected for a while.

Chalo Chalo is a racing game that doesn't focus on speed, but on tactical choices and outsmarting your friends. You compete locally with three to eight players at the same time on the same screen.

A unique landscape is generated for each race. During the countdown you make a plan, taking into account the terrain, your opponents and the power pickups.

With a special power, or just a simple nudge, you can send an opponent off track, sometimes with fatal consequences. But when the others are closing in, be sure you can pull it off without harming your own position.

Tomasz is best known for creating the anarchistic propaganda cartoon George Ought to Help
and its sequels. He also makes electronic music under the Mormo alias and created sound
effects for Sparpweed's game ibb & obb.